Teen charged with attempted armed robbery, seven burglaries

Matthew T. Pausche, 17, of the 2900 block of North 4351st Road in Sheridan, was charged Monday with attempted armed robbery and seven counts of burglary after threatening a taxi driver at knife point Saturday night and attempting to break in to a home early Sunday.

SYCAMORE – A 17-year-old from Sheridan who allegedly tried to rob a taxi driver with a knife and break into a home also has been charged with burglarizing several vehicles.

Matthew T. Pausche, 17, of the 2900 block of North 4351st Road in Sheridan, threatened a taxi driver with a knife Saturday night and tried to break in to a home early Sunday, police said. He was charged with attempted armed robbery and seven counts of burglary, police said.

Pausche is being held on $100,000 bond. The most serious charge is a Class 1 felony typically punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

According to court documents, Pausche and another suspect entered a cab just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday and told the driver to pull over on West Fayette Street in Sandwich.

When the driver pulled over, Pausche and his accomplice exited before Pausche pulled out a knife and demanded money.

The driver sped off without giving them money and saw the suspects flee on foot. About three hours later, Sandwich police responded to a call alleging someone had damaged a home in the 300 block of Wilshire Drive trying to break in. Police said they spotted Pausche on the scene.

Pausche, who damaged two door frames and locks at the Wilshire Drive home, had four GPS units, a credit card, two cell phones and other stolen items on him when he was arrested, police said.

The taxi driver later identified Pausche as the person who tried to rob him, police said.